Qatar

The Koreans were taken to extra time by tiny Bahrain where a thumping header from substitute Kim Jin-su dragged the tournament co-favourites through to face the 2022 World Cup hosts in the last eight. Qatar were once again subjected to a torrent of abuse from fans in Abu Dhabi over the long-running Gulf blockade of the oil-rich country. But Bassam Alrawi silenced the haters on 62 minutes when he curled in a free-kick to take the Qataris into the last eight for a third time. It was Qatar's fourth win in four games this tournament after topping their group and the least they deserved from a politically charged clash brimming with passion, if low on genuine quality. Iraq, shock Asian Cup winners in 2007 and semi-finalists four years ago, carried very little attacking threat until Atalanta's Ali Adnan fizzed a free-kick just wide 12 minutes from time. Seemingly more interested in snarling at the referee every time a decision went against them, Iraq ultimately paid for their lack of … [Read more...] about Koreans lurk as Qatar defy abuse to reach Asian Cup quarters

Vietnamese footballers in training in Qatar (Photo: VFF) Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - After an incredible 2018, Vietnam’s footballers are set for another busy year with three key international tournaments. The first is the final round of the Asian Cup which will kick off on January 5 in the United Arab Emirates. It will be the second time Vietnam have qualified for the continental tournament after 2007, when as co-hosts they were knocked out in the quarter-finals. This year’s tournament features 24 teams, eight more compared to the last edition in Australian four years ago. Vietnam are in Group D with Iran, Iraq and Yemen. The two top teams of each group and four best third-placed teams will qualify for the next round. Vietnam, the champions of the ASEAN region, have been tipped to advance to the second round. "We target a berth in the knock-out round. To do that, Vietnam need to be at least one of the four best third-placed teams. It is a suitable task for us because rivals in … [Read more...] about No rest for Vietnamese football stars

In Saigon's Nguyen Hue walking streets, football fans look disappointed as Uzbekistan scores at the last minute during extra time. The entire walking street turns silent after realizing Vietnam had lost 1-2 at the AFC U23 Championship which took place in China. Photo by VnExpress/Thanh Nguyen In Quang Tri, many fans can't hold back their tears. Photo by VnExpress/Hoang Tao ...In Hanoi. Photo by VnExpress/Ngoc Thanh Photo by VnExpress/Cuong Do Manh In Nha Trang. Photo by VnExpress/Xuan Ngoc ...and Saigon. Photo by VnExpress/Thanh Nguyen "It's already amazing that we made it to the final round, but I can't help being so disappointed. For the last minute. For the whole process. But it's alright, they fought in three consecutive two-hour matches. And the weather is so terrible! So we have the right to be proud of them!", said Thanh Duc, student at Cao Thang college. Photo by VnExpress.  Despite the rain, Hanoi fans stay until … [Read more...] about Football fans cry then cheer as Vietnam U23 lets crown slip through fingers to Uzbekistan

Lan, 23, finished with a time of 52.63 seconds. She was followed by Nadeesha Ramanayaka of Sri Lanka in 53.24 seconds and another Vietnamese, Nguyen Thi Hang, in 53.29 seconds. In April, Lan won the gold medal in the 400 meters hurdles at the 2019 Asian Athletics Championships in Doha, Qatar. Also on Tuesday Vietnam’s Le Thi Tu Chinh won the bronze medal in the women’s 100 meters hurdles while Bui Thi Thu Thao won a silver medal in the long jump. The Asian Athletics Federation invited 16 Vietnamese athletes to event in Chongqing from June 4-7. … [Read more...] about Vietnamese star Lan wins women’s 400 m at Asian Grand Prix Series

Despite having been beaten by Vietnam this year and being ranked 20 places lower in the FIFA World Rankings, Thailand appear confident of defeating Vietnam if they are drawn in the same group. The Thai media have even said being in the same group with Vietnam is lucky and they hoped it would happen. Thai newspaper SMM Sport wrote: "After taking a look at the seeding pots, Thailand can only count on luck in the draw for the second round. Thailand hope to be drawn with China (first pot) and Vietnam (second pot) because they are easy to beat." Thailand is often considered the regional powerhouse, even after Vietnam won the AFF Cup last December. But Vietnam affirmed their position after the national team beat Thai 1-0 at the friendly tournament King's Cup earlier this month. Last March, Vietnam's U23 team beat Thailand's 4-0 to earn a ticket to the 2020 AFC U23 Championship. Yet SMM Sport is all confident: "The chances of advancing for Thailand will be much higher if they are in the same … [Read more...] about 2022 World Cup qualifiers: Vietnam evoke mixed feelings in opponents